LSU can beat Alabama. It can do so by winning the turnover battle, unveiling a heretofore unseen consistently efficient passing game, harrying AJ McCarron and riding the emotion of a frenzied crowd. It’s more likely, though, that the Tigers won’t win the turnover battle, their passing game will remain erratic, McCarron will remain ultra-efficient and the crowd will be quieted.
ALABAMA 20, LSU 10
It is selling short a very good team with a very great defense to say LSU can’t beat Alabama. The issue is whether the Tigers can put together the kind of complete game effort, particularly on offense, that has been elusive this season. Something like the way LSU played against South Carolina would put the Tigers in contention, but the Tigers must do even better. They will be there, but the execution won’t be enough to carry the day.
ALABAMA 17, LSU 12
A few new wrinkles from the LSU offense is enough to keep a record crowd rocking through the night, but Alabama’s superior passing game is ultimately the difference.
ALABAMA 17, LSU 12
Yes, Tiger Stadium is a different place at night. Yes, LSU is at its best in a big-game atmosphere, when a great team comes to town. Yes, in many ways, this is Les Miles’ kind of game. All of that is true. But something else is also true: Alabama passes the eyeball test. Bama is No. 1 for a reason — many reasons, in fact. They’re physical on defense. They’re versatile on offense. And they don’t make many mistakes. Those things matter.
ALABAMA 17, LSU 10
Let’s face it. LSU’s offense is just too limited to do much against a defense like Alabama’s, and the Tigers have no difference-making playmaker on defense or special teams like Tyrann Mathieu to help make up for that deficiency.
ALABAMA 24, LSU 3
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